Gun fire control system



il ct. 27,1931. M BATES .,829,18l

GUN FIRE CONTROL Ysrvs'rwl Filed Jne 8,- 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ma. 27,193i.

M. F. BATES LZQJl G UN MRE CONTROL 'SYSTEM Filed June 8, v1923 2Sheets-Sheet 2 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE MoE'rrMER E. BATES, orBRooKEYN, NEW YoEx, AssrGNoE, BY mEsNE As'sIaNnrEN'is,

TosrEanY GYEoscorE COMPANY, INc., A coEPoRA'noN or4 NEW'YoEx GUN `FIREcoNTRoL SYSTEM Appucationmed June s, 192s. yserial No. 644,13.

This invention relates to gun lire control from moment to moment usuallypassing systems and has for its object the provision through zero. Therange that is primarily Tof anV improved system .of thisv character.transmitted to the range lindicator located More specifically, itrelates to a correction in the turret is the net range after. allplot-`system for er-rors due to trunnion tilting of ting room correctionshavebeen made and is v55 ordnance on shipboard out of the plane of based onthe assumption that 'iiring'will take i the horizontal QQca'sigigdgpylhgrgling and place as the ship passes'through 'thehoripitchingmbtions of the ship. The inven zontal. When firing is totake place as the tion embraces azimuth ortrain lcorrection ship isheeled, the said nal correction for due to said motions, whichcorrection is prefrange may be of some moment and it ist() erablyintroduced automatically in the gentherefore indicated as 'a plus orminus coreral azimuth training system elther by indi rection of theprimary range. In this syscators or the autdmatic' operation of the guntem, provision is made in the ring circuit mounting or turret. Thedevice also extends for interlocking this circuit with the range l5 tothe automatic vindication of the proper indicator in the turret and anindicator at the f 65 correction value which may be introduced firingstation so that when a given amount into the range atwill. Thesefunctions vary of range correction has 'been'introducedA into when theaxisof the gun and its elevation is the range indicator, the liring ofthe gun considered with respect to the longitudinal cannot take placeexcept at that oint of heel axis of the ship. of the shi correspondingto this givencor-m In carr i-ng out my invention, I employ a rection. ntheother hand, the: correction universal y'supported pendulum formainfor trunnion tilt vwhich affects the train of taining the vertical.This is' preferably the gun is constantly introduced automatigyroscopicand compensated against acceler cally along with other Well-v understoodazi- `"`atii pressures, being mounted 0n acbase muth corrections, thealgebraic sum of which Z5 Which'may swivel about a vertical axis andreaches the target turret indicator. be trained virtually with thegundirectly gr MIM may also employ my invention in con'- indirectly, andhavingeindicatgrrtuatnection with thedirector `firing system disingapparatus or contacts on either one or closed in the copendingapplication of Ralph 3G both of the axes of the gyroscoplc pendulum, E.Kortepeter, Serial No. 653,445 filed July80.

one o f which axes may be considered as kept 24, 1923 which invention isassigned to the at all times parallel'with the training of the assigneeof the present invention, reference gun and the other axis at rightangles thereto which is had for the preferred details of to. The contactabout the first mentioned f the indicators referred to herein.

axis is empl-eyed to obtain the angle of tilt My invention will bebetter understood 85 of the trunnions, thereby actuating interfrom thefollowing description taken in conmediate computing or other apparatusnection with the accompanying drawings and which pr operly functions todevelop the aziits scope will be pointed out in the appended muthcorrections of the gun. as Well as the claims.

40 location of these corrections in their proper In the drawingsillustrating what I now 90 amounts as they lie either to the vright orconsider the preferred form of my invention, left of the line of train.The contact about Fig, 1 is a perspective view'of4 my conthe lastmentioned axis Whicn 1s parallel trolling apparatus with auxiliaryparts. with the gun trunnions controls the correo- Fig. 2 is a diagramillustrating'parts ofl ti-on indicator for elevation or range ofthe themechanism shown'in Fig. 1 and their re- 95 gun located at the firingstation. This latlation to other units 'in the system, with electercorrection can be introduced at will into.' trical connections. theranffe of the gun as will appear herein` Fig. 3 is a modication of partof my conafter. f course, it is understood thatthis trollingmechanism,and v final correction for elevation or range varies Fig. 4 is anenlarged detail 4of a portion of m0 Fig. 2 more clearly to illustratethe operation of the system.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the gun 1 to be controlled is shown asmounted on a rotatable platform 2 such as a turret for movement inazimuth and in trunnious 3 for elevation. In the turret is aninstrument4 of a standard type, an early form of which is shown inLetters Patent 1,296,439 to Ehucr A. Sperry dated March 4, 1919,.and alater form of Whichis shown in the pending application of the sameinventor, now Patent No. 1,755,340, dated April' 22, 1930, beingassigned to the assignee of the present mvention, known as theY targetbearing or target turret indicator (T. T. I.) to which is trans- `mittedthe azimuth readings with all corrections introduced, Which Will be morefully explained hereinafter. rFlic/instrument 4 has an index 5 toindicate the readings transmitted, and a pointer 6 rotatable with ashaft ared to a shaft 8 carrying a gear 9 and handle10.`*ilhe-geai;9"mesles With a gear 11 on the periphery of platforn'i2.Y An attendant is stationed in the turret,

nWho by means of the handle 10, keeps the place.

pointer G and index 5 in coincidence, thereby' moving the gun in azimuthto the position indicated bythe index 5, in a manner readily understood.Since azimuth corrections are being continuously introduced, due to themotion of the ship or of the target, the attendant continuously keepsthe pointer 6 and index 5 in coincidence.

In the turret is a second instrument 12, of a standard type and somewhatsimilar to the indicator 4, known as a target range indicator. (T. R.I.) to which is transmitted the elevation of the gun, as Will be laterdescribed. This instrument has an index 13 to indicate the elevation ofthe gun, and a point er 14, rotatable with a shaft 15 having fixedthereto a gear V16'and'handlerl'lwhe gear 16 meshes with a gear 17 whichmeshes with a" gear segment 17" fixed to gun 1. A. second attendant inthe turret keeps the pointer 14 and index 13 in coincidence, therebymoving the gun in elevation to the position indicated by the index 13,in a manner readily understood. The elevation at which the' gun is to befixed is predetermined, and consequently, after the gun is once trainedin elevation, it need not be changed unless new conditions requiringcorrection arise, such as Where it is desired to change the point ortime with respect to the roll of the ship at-Which firing is to take Theparts described are located in the turret, and the diagram is aconventional 'drawing to illustrate their relation, it being understoodof course, that in practice the parts may assume other forms and bedifferently arranged to perform these functions."

` In standard systems, a target bearing telescope 18 (T. B. T.) isemployed, lWhich is continuously kept upon the target. This is a1,829,181 Y uji...

standard instrument and need not here be described. Itis provided With atransmitter 18 Wh'ichtransmits its readingsto an instrument 19 locatedin the plotting room known as a target bearing or target turrettransmitter (T. T. T.). This is also a Well-known standard type ofinstrument and need not be described in detail herein. In the plottingroom, there are numerous corrections intrduced, and the correctedreading is transmitted through conductors 19 to the target turretindicator 4. These corrected readings are also transmitted throughconductors 2() to a synchronous motor 21, which rotates contacts 22,which control a follow-up motor 23 in a manner Well understood in thearl'. The motor 23 through suitable gear mechanism 24 rotates a table25, on which as sh own in Fig. 1,

is supported my apparatus for correcting for error in angle oftrain"diie to trunion tilt V'need not necessarilybe mounted on thistable.

Table 25, the mechanism supported thereby and motors 21 and 23 are alsopreferably located in the plotting room as indicated.

The table 25 is mounted in a horizontal plane on a suitable rotatablevertical support Within a casing 26 containing collector rings andbrushes for the various electric circuits of the apparatus, the detailsof Which are not shown. On said table ismounted a universally supportedpendulum for maintaining the vertical, Which is shown as a gyroscope 27,Which is preferably of the typevshown in my Patent No. 1,518,892, datedDecember 9, 1924, Which patent is assigned to the assignee of thepresent invention.

As shown in Fig. 1 t-he gyroscope 27 comprises a casing 28 in Which ismounted on a vertical spinning axis a rotor of the usual type, notvisible in the drawing Which is driven by a suitable electrical sourcein the usual manner. The casing 28 is Vuniversally mounted in a cardansuspension, the casing being provided with pivots 29, 30 journaledWithin a gimbal ring 31, Which ring is in turn similarly mounted foroscillation or rotation about normally horizontal pivots at right anglestothe pivots 29, 30, one of Which, 32, is visible in Fig. 1. Theselatter pivots of which 32 is visible, are suitably journaled insupporting brackets, one of which is shown at 33. I preferably employ agyroscope compensated against acceleration pressures as described in theaforesaid application, in Which the casing is provided with nozzles 31',through which air under pressure flows, the openings of the nozzlesbeing controlled by an auxiliary, universal pendulum. The apparentmovement of the gyroscope about the two cardan axes of the gyroseopicsuspension, due to the motion of the ship, is

.age

used to control two separate sets of mechanism.

First 'considering the oscillation about the'.

horizontal axis of pivot 32. As `shown in Fig. l, the pivot 32extends'through bracket 33 and has suitably fixed thereto an element34-h'aving two contacts 35, 36, separated by a strip of insulation 37.vThe'contacts 35, 36 are electrically connected to a follow-up motor 38,which .'connections are diagrammaticall shown in Fig. 2. Said contactsare arranger to be engaged by a brush 39, carried by an arm 40. Thebrush 39 is connected to the opposite side of the electrical source formotor 38. It is'therefore obvious that rotation about pivot 32 willclose the circuit ofmotor 38 through either of the contacts 35, 36 andthat the circuit is open when the brush is in its neutral position oron\ insulation 37. It is of course understood that the circuit throughsaid contacts drives the motor in opposite dire'ctionsl `The arm 40 isfixed toa shaft 41 which is j ournaled in suitable supporting brackets42, 43. Said shaft 41 being mounted on the platform 25 inline with theaxis 32 of the gyroscope is obviously maintained in the line of sight ofthe target. At its opposite end, the shaft 41 is formed with a 'fork 44within which is pivoted an arm 45, on axis 44 which lies perpendicularto the shaft 41 and is'maintained truly hori zontal by the gyroscope bymeans of contacts 35, 36, 39, followup motor 38, and the link-yhereinafter described. The end of the arm 45 which is shown as intheform of a pilot gun fits into the slot 46 of an arc shaped member 47which is secured to a shaft 48, suitably journaled in extensions 49, 50of the bracket 43 at right angles to the 'axis 44', i. e., shaft 48 liesperpendicular to the ships deck. All three axes, i. e., of shafts 41, 44and 48, preferably intersect at a common point. At its opposite end, theshaft 48 'is provided with a bevel gear'51 meshing with a bevel gear 52on shaft 53 y 54. The transmitter 54 is provided with a gear 55 meshingwith a gear 56 on the followf up motor 38. From the foregoing, it willbe seen that when the circuit of motor 38 is 'closed through eitherofthe contacts35, 36,

the transmitter 54 will be rotated turning its shaft 53 which in turnmoves part 47 to the right or left through its bevel gear connec tionthrough an angle equal to the component of the angle of traverse of thegun resolved in the plane of the ships deck. The move-` ment of part 47carries with it the arm 45 causing shaft 41 to turn until the brush 35reaches its neutral position`on insulation 37 when the motor circuit isopened. At the same time the transmitter 54 ,is a'ctuated as 'beforestated and the movement is'transu mitted to the target turret indicator4 through conductors 57. A circumferentially grooved sleeve 58 isloosely mounted on shaft of a transmitter.

ship, i. e.,- the 41, and has fixed thereto an arm 59 provided vwithgear teeth 60 arranged to mesh with a gear segment 61 fixed to the arm45. Consequently,and longitudinal movement of the sleeve 58 will causethe arm 45 to be elevatedy or lowered in the slot 46. The sleeve 58 maybe moved longitudinally by means of a gear 62 on a shaft 63 journaled inbrackets 64, 6,5.

At one end, the shaft 63 isI provided withia on the contact sector34there will be of the motor 38 and transmitter 54. When thearm 45 is inits lowest position, no inotion can be transmitted to shaft 41.Therefore, a circuit breaker is placedat '69 to render motor 38inoperative except at such times as there is an appreciable elevation ofar1n'45. Having described the structural details, the operal tion andpurpose of this apparatus will be readily understood.

As shown in Fig. 2, the table 25 supporting this mechanism is rotated bya motor 23 controlled by synchronous motor 21, which is driven from thetarget turret transmitter 19. When the apparatus therefore is inoperation, the horizontal axis 32 of the gyroscope 27 is oriented withthe gun 1, that is, it points in the same direction the gun should pointafter lcertain well-known correctionsl have been introduced at thetarget turret transmitter 19. This is done through the means justdescribed. The next step is to move the arm 45 about its axis 44 to thedesired elevation or range. This is done by the attendant in theplotting room, who rotates the handle 66 until the pointer 67 coincideswith the said elevation or range von the dial 68. This motion istransmitted tothe arm 45 through gear 62, sleeve 58, arm 59 and gear 61.f

As is well known, a gun pointed at a target is displaced with respe'ctthereto in azimuth by trunnion tilt, due'to'the motion of the ship, andin order that the gun may be fired at any instant it is necessary to1ntroduce a'correction to compensate for this displacement in azimuthwhich correction must be determined in terms of angular movement of theturret about the axis thereof, which, of course, usually liesperpendicular to the angle of traverse of the un must be determined inthe plane of the ships deck. The angular correction in train, madenecessary by the tilt ofthe gun trunnion, is, of course, actual-ly equalto the projection on a horizontal plane of the angle of elevation ofthegun.- These corre'ctions are automatically and continuously introducedby the vapparatus describedin the following manner:

With the gyroscopic pendulum holding a true vertical, all motions of theship will resolve themselves into motions about the cardan axes of thegyro; for example, movement about pivot 32, which is trunnion tilt, willbring contact 35 4or 36 under the brush 39, starting motor 38 in theproper direction to restore the brush 39 to the neutral section betweencontacts 35 'and 36.

In performing the above work, the motor also drives the transmitter 54.It is evident that the amount the transmitter turns is dependent uponthe elevation of the arm 45, i. e., is a function of the sine of theangle of deviation of the gun, or is equal to the angle of traverse. ofthe gun resolved in the plane of the ship. In this manner the twofactors, trunnion tilt (measured by the angle between shaft 44l and theplane of slot 46) and gun elevation are combined to give the correctazimuth or train 'correctio-n wanted which is actually the deflection tothe right or left of part 47 and it is the amount of this deflection ythat is transmitted by transmitter 54.

In operation, again referring to brush 39, it is seen that thebrush-supporting mechanism being virtually a part of the ship will bedisplaced when the ship rolls and pitches. Said brush is also caused tofollow the con-pl tact sector neutral point as motions of the shipaffect it, by its follow-up connection to' shaft 41, with only a fewminutes of arc lag existing at any time.

It will be observed that this correction is introduced into the targetturret indicator 4 and not the target turret transmitter 19, into whichthe other corrections are introduced. This is for the reason that theapparatus is oriented from the target turret transmitter and with thelatter correction introduced, the apparatus would not be properlyoriented. It is obvious that only the gyroscope 27 need be supported ona table 25 to be oriented from the target turret transmitter to functionproperly, and that the other mechanism.

may be conveniently mounted elsewhere and properly connected.

l have provided means to render the apparatus inoperative when the armis in ae horizontal position, because in this position, as previouslyindicated, there is no azimuth correction for trunnion tilt to betransmitted, which is accomplished by opening the circuit of motor 38. Aswitch 69 of any suitable type normally closed, is placed in the saidmotor circuit, and may be mounted on an ex# cardan axis is a directmeasure of the truntension of bracket 43 in thevpath of sleeve 58. 1When this sleeve has advanced to a position in which the arm 45 ishorizontal, the switch 69 is openedby said sleeve.

i As above indicated, the horizontal axis pivoted at. 32, of thegyroscopefis oriented with the gunso vthat movement about this nion tiltdue to the motion of the ship which factor is-introduced into thecorrection device by the shaft 41. The other cardan axis at 29, 30 istherefore paralle'd .with the trunnion axis, and movement about thisaxis is a direct measure of the displacement of the gun in elevation'due to the motion of the ship and is employed to indicate the varyingrange cpi-rection value due to said motion of the s up. I

As shown in Fig. 1, the gyroscope 27 is provided with an upwardlyextending pin 7D which tits into a groove 71 of an arched member 72pivoted in brackets 73, 74 on an axis coincident with the gyroscopehorizontal axis pivoted at 29, 30. By this arrangement, the gyroscope isfree to tilt about its axis 32 and tilting about 'the axis 29-30 istransmitted to member 72. The bearing at one end ofthe member 72 mayextend through bracket 74 and have fixed thereto a pointer 75 tocooperate with a dial 76 to indicate the angle oi" tilt of the member72. At its opposite end, the bearing of the member 72 may extend throughthe bracket 73 and have fixed thereto an element 77, having twocontactsl '78, 79 separated by a strip of insulation 80. These contactsare electrically connected to a fol* low-up motor 81, as showndiagrammatically in Fig. 2. Said contacts are arranged to be engaged bya brush 81 carried by an arm 82. Said brush 81 is connect-ed to theopposite side of the electrical source for motor 81, and the control ot'this motor by the tilting of member 72 is similar to that describedabove with respect to motor 38. In this ease however, the arm 82 isvfixed to a gear 83 which meshes with a gear 84 driven by the motor 81.The tilting of the member 72 is imparted to a transmitter 85, through agear 86 in mesh with gear 83, which transmits the angle of l tiltl tothe firing. station indicator 87 through conductors 88, which reading isindicated by the pointer 89. It should be understood that more than onetransmitter may be geared in series for coarse and fine readings, ifdesired. This correction is introduced at will into the range indicator12 by means of a range correction transmitter 90 located at the firingstation which may be of any standard type, and is well known in the art.

As shown in Fig. 1, the handle 66, for putting the desired elevation orrange of the gear into the corrector is fixed on a gear 91, which mesheswith a gear 92 of a transmitter 93 which transmits the elevation to tberange indicator 1 2 through conductors 94, 95. As stated above, therange indicator 12 is a standard type of instrument, but in addition, itis provided with a stop 96', or other means, so located that thepointer-14 cannot move beyond. the maximum elevation of the gun. Thereobviously would be no need for readings beyond the maximum elevation inthe ,turret since the attendant could not elevate the gun beyond itsmaximum. To fire the gun at a greater range than its maximum elevationrequires a consideration of the roll tion. The conductors 94 aretherefore congun is' to tinued to the firing station 87 as shown in Fig.2. The firing station is not concerned 'with the elevation of the gununtil its maximum elevation is reached, its function, at other timesbeing to introduce the correction in elevation due to the motions of theshipthrough transmitter 90 as described. The conductors 94 lead to atransmitter 96 at the firing station as shown in Fig. 4. Thistransmitter rotates la segmental gear 97 which is arranged to introduceno'reading to the firing station indicator 87 until the maximumelevation of thegun is reached, that is, when pointer 14 strikes stop 96in the range indicator 12. At this time, however, the segmental gear 97meshes'with a gear 98 carrying an index 99. It is of course understoodthat the handle 66, pointer 67 and arm 45 have a movement beyond themaximum elevation obtainable at the gun.v The index 99 now indicates therange at which the gun must be fired, which can only take place when thepointer 89 and index `99 coincide.

The firing circuit comprises a suitable electrical source 100,conductor101, contact 102 on a handle 103, contact 104 on pointer 89,

conductor 105, tiring switch 106, conductor 107, contact 108 onpointer14, contact 109 on pointer 13, conductor 110 to the gun, andconductorlll to the source 100.

Regardless of the elevation at which the be fired, the same conditionsmust exist. The handle 103 is moved to coincide with indexl99 at thefiring station, contacts 104 and 102-must close the circuit, the controlswitch 106 must be closed, and contacts 108 and 109 at the rangeindicator must engage, that is, thegun must have been moved f inelevation until the pointer 14 coincides with index 109. It is thereforeclear that no firing can take place until the gun has in practice Iprefer that handle 103 shall also c been elevated in accordance withthe'turret range indicator 12, nor until the motion of the ship has broughtthe indicator pointer 89 in contact with 102 when the circuit is.

closed by switch 106. For illustrating purposes, the handle operatingthe transmitter 90 and handle 103 are shown separately, but

operate transmitter 90 as their positions alwa s coincide.

y given range 'setting at the target range indicator 12 whichis withinthe imits of.

the gun mounting can be vcorrected at will from the lringstation bymovement of transgv o lever 103. The movement of the ship ,e ectingrange and the amount of it is shown by.

mitter 90 to coincide 'with 'any settin pointer- 89 as before described,therefore,

lever 103 can be set at any point thatunder prevailing conditions willbe passed-over vby the pointer89. 1 In Fig. 3 is shown a modificationof. Fig.

3. In a system of 1, the similar parts having similar referencenumerals. member 47 in azimuth and transmitter 54 'from motor 38 asshown Fig. 1, the transmitter 54 is rotated through gears 11,2,- 113from shaft '48 and the4 shaft 41 is directly rotated by motor 38through' aQgear 114011 the shaft 4l adjacent the arm40.

With' this construction the' transmitter drive is by means lof the arm45, andvaries 'as in the' first construction with afunction Herein,instead of rotating the of the elevation set in the arm 45. AWhen thearni is horizontal its axis Iis in line with shaft 41 and no movement ofthe transmitter takes place, but motor 38 .need not be renderedinoperative by a circuitbreaker because shaft 41is still free torotate.

vIn accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have hereindescribed the principle of operation ofmy invention,rto gether with`theapparatus, which I now consider to represent the best embodimentthereof, but I desire to have it understoodk that the apparatus shownisionly illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by othermeans. Also, while it is designed to use the various features andelements in the combination and relations described, some of these.

nected therewith, a universally supported gyioscope for maintaining thevertical, meansv for maintaining the same with one of its axes in aconstant relation to the target bearing transmitter, means positionedaccording to the angle of tilt about 'said gyroscope due to motions ofthe ship, meais positioned in accordance with range cooperating with.said means, and means for automatically introducing a correction whichis a function of the angle of said tilt and range into thetarget'indicator.

2. In a system of gun tire control, a target bearing transmitter, atarget indicator connected therewith, a universally supported gyroscopefor maintaining the vertical..

oriented by the target transmitter, means positioned according to theangle Xof tilt of said gyroscope due to motionsof'the ship,-means'positioned in accordance with range cooperating with said means,and meansfor automatically introducing a correction whichv is a functionof the angle of said -tilt and-range into the target indicator.

bearin transmitter, an indicator connected therewith, a universallysupported gyroscope for' maintaining the` vertical, means forl orientingthe same from said-transmitter to gun re control, a target:

naintain one of its axes parallel with the `runnion axis yof the gun,means actuated by Ielative angular motion of the ship and gyrocope aboutsaid axis, means positioned in lccordance with range cooperating withsaid neans, a member positioned in different lanes by said two means andmeans actuated rom said member for introducing a correcion which is thecomponent in the plane of he ship ofthe actual instantaneous angle ofraverse of the gun.

4. In a system of llireV ncontrol for naval uns, a transmitter forsending the azimuth ngle at which the gun is to be aimed, an inicatorconnected therewith located near the un, a gyroscope automaticallyorientedfrom Aaid transmitter to indicate the trunnion tilt f the gundue to ship motions, means posioned in accordance with the range or gunlevation, a member positioned in different lanes by said two means andmeans for in- ?oducing a correction which is the compof ent of the angleof traverse of the gun in the lane of the ship.

5. In a system of gun'ire control, a target -ansmitter, a targetindicator connected ierewith, a universally supported gyro pen- .ilumfor maintaining the vertical, means for leasuring the trunnion tilt ofthe gun with aspect to said pendulum due tomotions of 1e ship, means fororienting said pendulum om said transmitter, means Vpositioned inicordance with range cooperatingy with said rst named means, and meansfor introducing correction which is a function of the angle said tiltand range into the target indicator. 6. In a gun re control system,means for dicating' the motion about the trunnion axls ie to ship motioncomprising a universally lpported gyroscope for maintaining the Vercal,means for continuously orienting said ,froscope with one of its axesparallel with ,e normal gun trunnion axis, and indicating cans operatingabout both axes of the gyroope for measuring trunnion tilt and theanllar motion of the gun about the trunnion :is due to the ships rollingand pitching. 7. In a system of gun lire control, a target ansmitter, anindicator connected thereith, a universally supported gyroscopic penllumfor maintaining th vertical, means r positioning said gyroscope with oneof its ies parallel with the trunnion axis of the in, means actuated bysaid gyroscope in acrdance with the trunnion tilt of the gun dueVmotions 'of the ship, means positioned in cordance with rangecooperating with said 3ans, means for transmitting to said indi-4 torfrom said last two means a correctiom d means for compensating saidgyroscope ainst acceleration pressures;

8. In a gun tire control system, a universalsupported gyroscope formaintaining the rtical, means for maintaining one of its es parallelwith the train of the gun, a follow-up system responsive to tiltingabout said axis comprising a motor, an element driven thereby in oneplane, av second element pivoted at right angles to said elementadjustable to positions corresponding to the elevation of the gunen'gaging'said element, the relative position of said two elementscontrolling the relation between the gyroscope and 4said motor, and atransmitter driven by said motor connected with a target bearingindicator.

9. In a gun fire control system, a univeru sally supported gyroscope formaintaining the vertical, means for automatically maintaining one of itsaxes parallel with the train -oat' the gun, a follow-up system connectedwith said axis having a motor, an adjustable element positioned at theangleof elevation of the gun arranged to form a variable connectu inglink between the gyroscope and the motor according to the elevation ofthe gun, and a transmitterdriven by said motor for indic ating at aremote point an angular correction.

' 11. In a gun fire control system, a uni-V yersally supported gyroscopefor maintainlng a horizontal reference plane, means for maintaining oneof its axes parallelwith the train of the gun, a follow-up'systemcontrolled by said axis, means for adjusting said system for the gunelevation, and indicating means connected With said system.

l2. In' a gun tire control system, a universally supported gyroscope formaintaining a reference plane, means for automatically maintaining oneof its axes parallel with the train of the gun, a follow-u i systemcontrolled by said axis, means` or adjusting said system for the gunelevation, and indicating means/'actuated by the ships motions asmodified'by said adjusting means.

13. In a system of gun fire control, a target transmitter. a targetindicator, a universally supported-fgyroscope for maintaining areference plane, means for maintaining one of Vits axes parallel withthetrain of the gun controlled by said transmitter, a follow-up systemcontrolled by said axis, means for adjusting said system for range, andmeans connected with said system for introducing a correction which is afunction of the angle of tilt about said axis and range into saidindicator.

14. In a system of gun fire control, a target of the gun controlled bysaid transmitter,

a follow-up system controlled by said axis, means for Iadjusting saidsystem for range, and means connected Withsaid system for introducing acorrection which is a function of the angle of tilt about said axis andran-ge into said indicator. A

15. In a system of gun fire control,'a target transmitter, a targetindicator, a universally supported gyroscopic pendulum, means formaintaining one of its axes parallel with the train of the guncontrolled by said transmitter, a follow-up system controlled by saidaxis, means for adjusting saidv system for range, and means connectedwith,4 said system for introducing a correction which is .a function ofthe angle of tilt about said axis and range into said indicator. 16. Ina system of gun fire control,a target transmitter, a target indicator, auniversally` supported gyroscope for maintaining the vertical, .meansfor maintaining one of its axes parallel with the train of the guncontrolled by said transmitter, a follow-up system con.- trolled by saidaxis, means for adjusting said system for range, and means connectedwith said system for introducing a correction which is a function of theangle of tilt about Y said axis and range into said indicator.

17. In a gun fire control system, a universally supported gyroscope formaintaining the vertical, means for maintaining one olf'VV its axesparallel With the train of the gun, a follow-up system connected withsaid axis having a motor, an adjustable element positioned at the angleof elevation of the gun arranged to form a variable connecting linkbetween the gyroscope 'and the motor according to the elevation of thegun, and means connectedwith said system for introducing a correctionwhich is a function of the angle of tilt about said axis and givenelevation into atarget indicator. l

18. In a system of gun lire control, a target bearing transmitter, atarget bearing indicator connected therewith,.and means for i11-"troducing azimuth correction into said indi- `cator due to gun trunniontilt resulting from motions of the ship4 comprising a universallysupported gyro pendulum for maintaining the vertical, means fororienting said pen- =dulum with one-of its axes parallel with the'training of the gun, electrical contacts car-` 'ried by said axis, afollow-up motor electri cally-connected with said contacts, a verticalyelement driven byv said motor, a. 'second eleconnected with said motorfor sending the angle of rotation of said vertical element to the targetindicator. v

19.- In a system of gun fire control, `a target bearing transmitter, atarget bearing indicator connected thereto,'and means for introducingazimuth correction into said indicator due to gun trunnion tiltcomprising apparatus as specified in claim 18, in combination with meansfor positioning said second element in\accordance with the elevation ofth gun. 20. In a gun lire control indicating the trunnion tilt ofthe gundue to ship motion comprising a universally supported gyroscope forvmaintaining the vertical, means'for continuously orienting saidgyroscope with one of its axes parallel with the train of the gun, afollow-up system controlled by said axis comprising la follow-up motor,adjustable. means interniediate'said motor and said gyroscope forvarying their relation and means for positioning said adjustable meansat predetermined lpoints for the different elevations of/the gun.v

'21.. In a system of gun lire control, a structure as specified in claim2() in combination with a target bearing ltransmitter for. con--tinuously orienting the gyroscope` as described, a target bearingindicator connected system, means for cel Witlrsaid transmitter, andmeans connected with the follow-up 'system of said structure C -forautomatically introducing a correction Which is a function of the angleof trunnion. tilt and gun elevation into said transmitter.

- 22; In a gun iire'con'trol system' for naval guns, the combinationcomprising a target bearing transmitter, a target bearing indicatorconnected therewith, a range indicator,

a firing station, a'universally supported gyroscope for maintaining thevertical, means for continuouslyorienting said gyroscope with one/of itsaxes parallel with the train ofthe gun and its other axis parallel withthe trunnion axis, means for introducing the angle i of trunnion tiltinto the target bearing indicator comprising a follow-up systemconnected with said rst mentioned gyroscope axis having adjustableelement'arranged to change the relation of the follow-up' system Withrespect to the gyroscope, means for positioning said adjustable elementaccording to the eleva-tion of the gun, a transmitter connected withsaid system leading to the target lbearing indicator, means forindicating the angle of motion labout the trunnionaxisof thefguncomprising a follow-up sys-` tem connectedwith the latter roscope axis,and a transmitter connected t erewith, leading to the firing stationindicator.

23. In a gun fire control system, means for indicating the motion aboutthe trunnion axis due to shlp motion comprising a universally supportedgyroscope for maintaining the Y 0' vertical, means for continuouslyorienting said gyroscope with one of its axes parallel with the normalgun trunnion axis, and indicating means operating about an axis of thegyroscope.

24. In a gun re control system, the combination with a gun and asighting device, of a firing station located at a distance from saidsghting device and gun, a range indicater, means for indicating theangle of motion about the trunnion axis of the gun due to ship motionlocated at the firing station, andv means located at the firing stationfor introducing the said angle of motion into the range indicator.

25. In a gun fire control system, the combination with a gun and asighting device, of a firing station located at a distance from saidsighting device and'gun, a range indicator, means Jfor indicating theangle of motion about the trunnion'axis of the gun due to ship motionlocated at the firing station, and means located at the firing stationfor introducing the saidangle ot motion or fractions thereof into the`turret range indicator.

2G. In aV gunfire control system, a range indicator, a tiringstation'having a range indicator, means forsimultaneously-transmittingthe range to both of said indicators, meansfor rendering the range indicator in' operative when the transmittedrange exceeds the maximum elevation of the gun, and means rendering thefiring station rangevv indicator operative only when the transmittedrange exceeds the maximum elevation of the gun.

27. In a gun re control system, a range indicator, a firing stationrange indicator, means for transmitting ranges to both indicators, meansautomatically limiting the indications of the range indicator tothe'maxi-I mum elevation of the gun and means automatically renderingthe firing station range indicator inoperative when the range indi- Acator is operative.

28. In a gun ire control system, a tiring station having means forindicating the angle of motion about the trunnion axis of the gun due toship motion, and means for indicating the range of the gun when itexceeds the maximum elevating angle of the gun about` its trunnion axis.

29. In a gun re control.system,` the coin-S- bnation comprising a turretrange-indicator,

3 a iring station range indicator, means for simultaneously transmittingranges to both indicators, means automatically limiting the turret rangeindicator to the' maximumv ele-- vating angle of the gun, means forindicating at the firing station indicator the angle of motion about thegun trunnion axis due to motion of the ship, and means for automaticallylimiting the range indications at the iri ng station to ranges beyondthe maximum elevating angle. of the gun.

30. In a gun fire control system, a turret range indicator, a firingstation indicator, means. for compensating the same for trunnion tilt ofthe gun due to rolling and pitching of the ship and a firing circuitcomprising a switch controlled by the position of the turretrange'indicator and a switch controlled by the firing station indicator.

31. In a gun lire control system, a turret i'ange indicator having twoelements to indicate the transmitted range and position 'of the gunrespectively,contacts carriedby said elements to form an electricalswitch, a firing station indicator having a pointer to indicate theangle of motion about the gun trunnion axis due to ship motion carryinga contact and a movable member positionable to the range also carryingacontact, said latter two contacts forming an electrical switch, and atiring circuit controlled by said two switches and a firing switch.

32. In a gun tire control system for ships, a correction mechanism forerrors due to rolling and pitching, comprising a member nor mallypositioned in line with the target and pivoted about an axisperpendicular to the ship, a second member pivoted about an axis in linewith the target and about a horizontal axis at right angles to saidsecond axis, all of said axes intersecting at -a common point,

Vmeans for positioning said second member about said third axis at anangle equal to the gun elevation, a slidable connection between saidmembersabout said common point as a center, and means for positioningsaidfirst member about said perpendicular axis so as to maintain saidthird axis of said second member horizontal.

33. In a gun lire control system Jfor ships, a correction mechanism forerrors duev to rolling and pitching, comprising a member normallypositioned in line with the target and pivoted about an axisperpendicular to Athe ship, a second member pivoted about an axis inline with the target, and about a horizontal axis at right angles tosaid second axis, all of said axes intersecting at a common point, meansfor maintaining the horizontality of said third axis, means forpositioning said second member about said third axis at an angle to thegun elevation, and a slidable connection between said members about saidcommon point as a center, whereby said first member is-rotated throughan angle, 'equal to the error due to said rolling and pitching.

34. In a gun fire control system for ships, a correction mechanism forerrors due to rolling and pitching, comprising a. member mounted forturning about a longitudinal axis and for turning about a horizontalaxis' perpendicular to said first named axis, means for positioning saidmemberabout said last named axis at the angle of gun elevation, meansfor maintaining said first named axis in line with the target, means formechanitherewith, a gyroscope for maintaining the Gil vertical orientedWith the gun, means positioncd according to the angle of tilt about saidgyroscope due to motions of the ship, means positioned in accordanceWith range cooperating with said means, means controlled thereby forcorrecting the train of the gun for errors due to trunnion tilt, andmeans also controlled by said gyroscope for correcting the gunelevation.

36. In a gun tire control system, means for indicating the motion aboutthe trunnion axis due to ship motion comprising a universally supportedgyroscope for maintaining thevertical, means for continuously orientingsaid gyroscope to maintain one of its axes parallel with the normal guntrunnion axis, and means operating about said last named axis forcorrecting the gun elevation.

` 37. In a gun re control system, means for 4indicating the motion aboutthe trunnion axis due to ship motion comprising a universally supportedgyroscope for maintaining the vertical, means for continuously orientingsaid gyroscope to maintain one of its axes parallel with the normal guntrunnionv axis, means operating about said last named axis forcorrecting the gun elevation, and means operating about the horizontalaxis of the gyroscope A perpendicular to said other axis for correctingthe train of the gun.

38. The combination with a sight and a gun, of a trunnion tiltcorrection device comprising a member mounted for rotation about avertical axis and for oscillation about mutually perpendicularhorizontal axes, a transmitteroperated by said sight, a repeater motorconnected to said member to orient the same with the sight so as tomaintain one of the aforesaid horizontal axes of support in line withthe trunnion axis of the gun, a gyroscopic stabilizing means on saidmember, a pilot gun mounted for adjustmentabout horizontal axes on saidmember, automatic means for stabilizing the trunnion axis thereof fromsaid stabilizing means, means for setting said pilot gun in elevation inaccordance with the range angle, 'and a non-stabilized member mountedfor free turning about a vertical axis on said first-named member andcooperatingwith said pilot-gun whereby a train correction is impartedto-said member on rolling of the ship, and means for transmitting saidcorrection to the gun.

39. system of gun ire control comprising a combination with a sightingdevice and a gun mounted on a common moving support and each adjustablein elevation andtrain planes, a coacting correction device and pilot gunmounted on said support, the former being adjustable in train and thelatter adjustable in elevation and train, automatic means actuated fromsaid sight for maintaining the vertical plane of the pilot gun parallelto the sighting device, means for giving said pilot gun an elevationadjustment, automatic stabilizing means for maintaining the pilot gun inthe vertical plane passing through the line of si ht regardless of theoscillatory motions o the support whereby a train correction is impartedto said correction device, and means for transmittin such correction tothe gun.

n unstable platform, a sight rotatable on said platform about an axisperpendicular thereto, a support rotatable on said platform aboutanother axis perpendicular thereto, a stabilizing pendulum rotatable onsaid support about mutually perpendicular axes, one of which is parallelto said platform, and means connecting the sight to said support torotate the support in synchronism with the sightand maintain thependulum with one of its said axes parallel to a vertical planecontaining the line of sight of the sight.

41. A gun, a mount on which the gun is adjustable about a set of axes-varying in angular position with variations'in the angular position ofsaid mount, and means, settable with reference to a fixed set of planesto control the adjustments 'of the gun about at least one of said axes,for automatically generating corrections in the movements ot the gunabout said axis in its various positions.

42. A gun, a mount therefor on Which the gun is adjustable aboutelevation and train axes which vary in angular position with variationsin the angular position of said mount, and means, settable Withreference to a vertical and a horizontal plane to control ythe movementsof the gun about said train axis, for automatically generatincorrections in the movements of the gun a out said axis in its variouspositions.

43. A gun, an angularly movable mount on which the gun is adjustableabout a set of relatively fixed mutually perpendicular axes which varyin angular position With variations in the angular position of saidmount,

and means, adapted to have corrections applied thereto with reference tohorizontal and vertical planes, for automatically generating, from saidapplied corrections, corrections in the movements of the gun about atleast one of said axes, and for subsequently varying said generatedcorrections to compensate the movements of 'the gun about said lastnamed. axis for changes in the angular position of the axes due toangular movements ofsaid mount.

44. A movable support, a sighting device and a gun, each rotatable onsaid support about elevation and train axes, and means adapted to havecorrections ap lied thereto with reference to vertical an horizontalplanes and operated by and in accordance with the movements of saidsighting device, for automatically generating corrections in themovements of the gun about said train axis and subsequently varying saidgenerated' corrections upon changes in the angular position of said axesdue to movement of the. support.

45. A movable support, a gun adjustable on said support about elevationand train axes varying in angular position with variations in theangular position of said support, and means, settable with reference tovertical and horizontal planes, vto correct the movements of the gunabout said train axis, and for automatically generating the setcorrections in terms of movements of the gun about said axis in itsvarious positions, and for subsequently varying said generatedcorrections in response to and in proportion to changes in the angularposition of said axes due to movement of said support.

In testimony whereof I have aiixed my signature. Y

MORTIMER F. BATES.

